Philly Rising Program Hosts Inaugural Conference
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Philly Rising program hosted its inaugural conference in Philadelphia Wednesday.
Philly Rising is a program through which the city works with residents to improve life in neighborhoods with high instances of violent crimes. John Farrell, Philadelphia Deputy Managing Director says the program began in 2010, but this was the first year for the Philly Rising Conference.
"The conference came about after we were talking to neighbors and realizing that there are a lot of ideas that had been happening in one neighborhood and other neighbors in other parts wanted to hear about it and learn how to do it," said Farrell.
Farrell says sessions were built around a neighborhood-building theme.
"We're talking about how to create your own community garden, how to form a community group, how to engage the youth, how to start a domestic violence workshop in your neighborhood," said Farrell.
He says preliminary data shows a decrease of crime in neighborhoods with active Philly Rising programs, and adds, the Philly conference is expected to become an annual event.
